Key-ring device.



" Elm-878,274. PATENTED FEB. 4, 1908.

B. V. CLARK & W. G. GOOKSON.

KEY RING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED MA? 7. 1907- X I LBWcKYQXmK. 0.\- Q. C oaks on UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

BURT V. CLARK, OF PROVIDENCE, AND WILLIAM G. OOOK SON, OF ARCTIC, RHODE ISLAND.

KEY-RING DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 4, 1908.

Application filed March 7. 1907- Serial No. 36l'153.

Be it known that we, BURT V. CLARK and I WILLIA C. CooKsoN, citizens of the United States, the former residing at the city and county of Providence, the latter at Arctic, in the county of Kent, and both in the State of Rhode Island, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Key-Ring Devices, of which the following is a specilication.

The object of our invention is to produce a key-ring device having a concealed means to permit the device to open or to be held secure in a closed condition as desired.

The invention consists of the novel construction and combination of parts, as hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying sheet of drawings, Figure 1 represents a top plan view of our i improved device, as closed. Fig. 2 a similar view, showing the device open, and, Fig. 3 an enlarged central longitudinal sectional view of the device, taken in line of Fig. 1 showing a ball roller for making frictional contact in holding the device in a closed condition.

Like reference characters indicate like parts throughout the views.

A and B represent two S-shaped members made from flat spring metal and pivoted together at their central portion upon a rivet c, which is firmly secured to the member B. These members A and B have their crossover or body portion (Z, d extending straight from their hook portions d, d, and which latter are made to overlap each other when the device is in a closed condition, as seen in Fig. 1.

The-crossover or body portion (Z of the member B is provided with a circular groove 6 formed in its inner surface and surrounding the pivot center 0, and this groove 6 meets with two opposite extending grooves c, c which decrease in depth toward the outer l extremity of the body portion of said member B.

A ball roller f is of a size to loosely fit within the circular groove 6 and the lowerv adjacent part of the grooves e, e. When the ball roller is in the groove 6 the members To all whom it may concern: l l

A and B may be moved to their open position, as shown in Fig. 2.

To secure the device in a closed condition one pair of hooks d is grasped upon to spring both members A and B apart, to the position indicated by broken lines in Fig. 3, to permit the ball to roll within either groove 0, after which said members are allowed to assume their contracted position upon each other and held from rotation by the frictional contact of the ball f between the incline of its groove (4 and inner face of the member A.

hen the device is secured in a closed 1 condition, as described, the manner of opening the device remains a puzzle to any other than the owner, .for the reason that the securing-111cans is concealed within the device.

As now understood, to open the device the owner first inclines it, as in Fig. 3, and next springs the members apart and causes the ball roller to descend within the circular groove 6, when said roller will be free of contact with the member A and the device easily opened.

This device forms an attractive novelty, is

convenient, durable, and inexpensive to' manufacture.

That we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

In a key-ring device, the combination of two S-shaped-members whose body portions extend straight and are pivoted together at their central part, one of said members having a circular groove surrounding its pivot center and meeting with two oppositely extending grooves which decrease in depth toward their extremities, and a ball roller to operate in the grooves of said member to impinge against and hold by frictional contact the other member, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof we allix our signatures in presence of two witnesses.

BURT V. BLARK. \VILLIAh l (J. COOKSON. Vitnesses:

ALBERT T. MAnsn, ALBERT H. SMITH. 

